Pixel circuit and display device, and a method of manufacturing pixel circuit

ABSTRACT

The display device including a pixel circuit has a first line, a transistor, a light emitting element, and a second line. The transistor is located between the second line and an electrode of the light emitting element. Either the first line or the second line is wired in a region that overlaps a light emitting region of the light emitting element in a lamination direction of layers. The second line intersects the first line outside of the light emitting region and overlaps a non-light emitting region of the light emitting element.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/611,743, filed Feb. 2, 2015, which is a Continuation Application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/447,670 filed Jul. 31, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,976,089, issued on Mar. 10, 2015, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/666,158,filed Nov. 1, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,760,372, which is a ContinuationApplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/426,865 filed Mar.22, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,836,617, which is a ContinuationApplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/979,308 filed Nov. 1,2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,941, issued on May 29, 2012, which in turnclaims priority from Japanese Application No.: 2006-311495, filed onNov. 17, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pixel circuit including a lightemitting element such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) lightemitting element and an active matrix type display device, and a methodof manufacturing the pixel circuit.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an image display device, for example, a liquid crystal display deviceor the like, a large number of pixels are arranged in matrix, and animage is displayed by controlling a light intensity every pixel incorrespondence to information on an image to be displayed.

This is also applied to an organic EL display device. However, theorganic EL display device is a so-called self-emission type displaydevice having a light emitting element in each of pixel circuits. Thus,the organic EL display device has such advantages that visibility for animage is high, no backlight is required, a response speed is high, andso forth as compared with a liquid crystal display device.

In addition, the organic EL display device is largely different from theliquid crystal display device or the like in that a light emittingelement is of a current control type in which a luminance of each of thelight emitting elements is controlled with a value of a current causedto flow therethrough, thereby obtaining gradation of coloring.

The organic EL display device can adopt, as its driving system, a simplematrix system and an active matrix system similarly to the case of theliquid crystal display device. However, the former involves such aproblem that it is difficult to realize a large and high-definitiondisplay device, and so forth although a simple structure can be adopted.In order to solve this problem, an active matrix system is activelydeveloped in which a current caused to flow through a light emittingelement provided inside each of pixel circuits is controlled by anactive element provided inside each of the pixel circuits, generally, athin film transistor (TFT).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a general organic ELdisplay device.

This organic EL display device, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a pixelarray portion 2, a horizontal selector (HSEL) 3, a write scanner (WSCN)4, signal lines (data lines) SGL1 to SGLn, and scanning lines WSL1 toWSLm. Here, in the pixel array portion 2, pixel circuits (PXLC) 2 a aredisposed in matrix of m×n. The signal lines SGL1 to SGLn aresuccessively selected by the horizontal selector 3, and a data signalcorresponding to luminance information is successively supplied to thesignal lines SGL1 to SGLn. Also, the scanning lines WSL1 to WSLm aresuccessively selected and driven by the write scanner 4.

It is noted that the horizontal selector 3 and the write scanner 4 maybe formed on polycrystalline silicon, or may be formed in the form ofMOSICs or the like in the periphery of the pixels.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a structural example of the pixelcircuit 2 a shown in FIG. 1. This circuit diagram, for example, is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,365 (Patent Document 1), and Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. Hei 8-234683 (Patent Document 2).

The pixel circuit shown in FIG. 2 has the simplest circuit structureamong those of a large number of pixel circuits proposed, and is acircuit utilizing a 2 transistor driving system.

The pixel circuit 2 a of FIG. 2 includes a p-channel thin film fieldeffect transistor (hereinafter referred to as “a TFT”) 11 and a TFT 12,a capacitor C11, and an organic EL light emitting element (OLED) 13 as alight emitting element. In addition, in FIG. 2, reference symbol SGLdesignates a signal line, and reference symbol WSL designates a scanningline.

The organic EL light emitting element may be called an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) in many cases because it has a rectifyingproperty. For this reason, the light emitting element adopts a symbol ofa diode in FIG. 2 and others. However, in the following description, therectifying property is not necessarily required for the organic lightemitting diode.

Referring to FIG. 2, a source of the TFT 11 is connected to a powersource potential Vcc, and a cathode of the organic EL light emittingelement 13 is connected to a ground potential GND. An operation of thepixel circuit 2 a shown in FIG. 2 is as follows.

Step ST1:

When the scanning line WSL is held in a selection state (at a low levelin this case), and a write potential Vdata is applied to the signal lineSGL, the TFT 12 is turned ON to charge up or discharge the capacitorC11. As a result, a gate potential of the TFT 11 becomes the writepotential Vdata.

Step ST2:

When the scanning line WSL is held in a nonselection state (at a highlevel in this case), the signal line SGL and the TFT 11 are electricallydisconnected to each other. However, the gate potential of the TFT 11 isstably held by the capacitor C11.

Step ST3:

A current caused to flow through the TFT 11 and the organic EL lightemitting element 13 comes to have a value corresponding to a gate tosource voltage of the TFT 11. Thus, the organic EL light emittingelement 13 continues to emit a light with the luminance corresponding tothis current value.

An operation for selecting the scanning line WSL, thereby transmittingthe luminance information given to the data line to the inside of thepixel as in Step ST1 described above will be referred hereinafter as“write”.

As described above, in the pixel circuit 2 a shown in FIG. 2, when oncethe write potential Vdata is written thereto, the organic EL lightemitting element 13 continues to emit a light with given luminance untilthe next rewrite is carried out.

As described above, in the pixel circuit 2 a, the value of the currentcaused to flow through the organic EL light emitting element 13 iscontrolled by changing the voltage applied to a gate of the TFT 11 asthe drive transistor.

At this time, a source of the p-channel drive transistor is connected tothe power source potential Vcc, and thus the TFT 11 usually operates ina saturation region. Therefore, the TFT 11 operates as a constantcurrent source having a current value shown in the following expression(1):Ids=½·μ(W/L)Cox(Vgs−|Vth|)²  (1)

Where μ represents a mobility of a carrier, Cox represents a gatecapacity per unit area, W represents a gate width, L represents a gatelength, Vgs represent a gate to source voltage of the TFT 11, and Vthrepresents a threshold of the TFT 11.

In the simple matrix type image display device, each of the lightemitting elements emits a light only for a selected moment. On the otherhand, in the active matrix type image display device, as describedabove, each of the light emitting elements continues to emit a lighteven after completion of the write operation. From this reason, theactive matrix type image display device is more advantageous,especially, in the large and high-definition display device than thesimple matrix type image display device in that a peak luminance and apeak current of the light emitting element are reduced, and so forth.

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation showing deterioration with time ofcurrent-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the organic EL light emittingelement. Referring to FIG. 3, a curve indicated by a solid linerepresents the I-V characteristics in a phase of an initial state, and acurve indicated by a broken line represents the I-V characteristicsafter the deterioration with time.

In general, as shown in FIG. 3, the I-V characteristics of the organicEL light emitting element deteriorate as time elapses.

However, as described above, the constant current continues to be causedto flow through the organic EL light emitting element because the 2transistor driving system shown in FIG. 2 is the constant currentdriving system. As a result, even when the I-V characteristics of theorganic EL light emitting element deteriorate, an emission luminance ofthe organic EL light emitting element is free from the deteriorationwith time.

Now, the pixel circuit 2 a of FIG. 2 is constituted by the p-channelTFT. However, if the pixel circuit 2 a of FIG. 2 can be constituted byan n-channel TFT, the existing amorphous silicon (s-Si) process can beused in manufacturing a TFT. This leads to that the low-cost promotionfor a TFT substrate becomes possible.

Next, a description will now be given with respect to the basic pixelcircuit in which the p-channel TFTs are replaced with the n-channel TFT,respectively.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a pixel circuit in which thep-channel TFTs in the pixel circuit of FIG. 2 are replaced with then-channel TFT, respectively.

A pixel circuit 2 b of FIG. 4 includes n-channel TFTs 21 and 22, acapacitor C21, and an organic EL light emitting element (OLED) 23 as thelight emitting element. In addition, in FIG. 4, reference symbol SGLdesignates a data line, and reference symbol WSL designates a scanningline.

In this pixel circuit 2 b, a drain side of the n-channel TFT 21 as adrive transistor is connected to a power source potential Vcc, and asource thereof is connected to an anode of the organic EL light emittingelement 23, thereby forming a source follower circuit.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation showing an operating point betweenthe n-channel TFT 21 as the drive transistor, and the organic EL lightemitting element 23 in an initial state. In FIG. 5, an axis of abscissarepresents a drain to source voltage Vds of the n-channel TFT 21, and anaxis of ordinate represents a drain to source current I_(ds) of then-channel TFT 21.

As shown in FIG. 5, a source voltage depends on the operating pointbetween the n-channel TFT 21 as the drive transistor and the organic ELlight emitting element 23. Thus, the source voltage takes valuesdifferent from one another depending on a gate voltage.

Since the n-channel TFT 21 is driven in a saturation region, it causesthe current I_(ds) having a current value expressed by the equation formshown in the above expression (1) with respect to the gate to sourcevoltage Vgs corresponding to the source voltage at the operating point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The pixel circuit 2 b described above is the simplest circuit includingthe n-channel TFT 21 as the drive transistor, the n-channel TFT 22 asthe switching transistor, and the organic EL light emitting element 23.In this case, however, the structure in which for a power signal to beapplied to the power source line, two signals are switched over eachother and also for a video signal to be supplied to the signal line, twosignals are switched over to each other is adopted in some cases.

Or, the structure in which n-channel TFTs for the mobility andcancellation of the threshold, and the like are provided in addition tothe drive transistor connected in series to the organic EL lightemitting diode, and the switching transistor is adopted in some cases.

A vertical scanner such as a write scanner disposed either on both sideor on one side of an active matrix type organic EL display panelgenerates a gate pulse for the TFT as the switching transistor, or theTFTs for the threshold and the mobility which are specially provided.This pulse signal is supplied to a gate of desired one of the TFTs inthe pixel circuits disposed in matrix through a wiring.

When two or more TFTs exist each of which receives the pulse signalapplied thereto, timings at which the pulse signals are applied to thetwo or more TFTs, respectively, become important.

However, the delay of the pulse signal, the change in transient, and thevoltage drop in the power source line are caused by an influence of awiring resistance and a wiring capacity of the drive wiring and thepower source line connected to the pixel circuit. Thus, the shading, thestreak or the unevenness occurs. As a result, the shading, the streak orthe unevenness occurs in the form of nonuniformity or visual surfaceroughness in an image in some cases.

In addition, the light emitting region of the light emitting element isformed so as to have a stepped portion. However, when the step of thestepped portion is large, the outside light reflected by the surface ofthe display portion becomes more, which results in that it is impossibleto obtain the high-definition image quality.

The influence of these problems becomes large as the large sizepromotion, and the high definition promotion of the panel furtheradvance.

In the light of the foregoing, it is therefore desirable to provide apixel circuit and a display device each of which is capable of relaxinga stepped portion in a light emitting region, and obtaining a highquality image, and a method of manufacturing the pixel circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided apixel circuit, including: a signal line; a drive transistor; a lightemitting element; and at least one power source line wired so as tointersect perpendicularly the signal line; in which the drive transistoris connected between the wiring layer and a predetermined electrode ofthe light emitting element; and any one of wirings intersectingperpendicularly one another is wired in a region that overlaps a lightemitting region of the light emitting element in a lamination directionof layers, and the intersecting area is located outside of the lightemitting region.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a display device, including: a pixel array portion having aplurality of pixel circuits formed therein, the pixel circuit having alight emitting element, a power source line, a drive transistorconnected between the power source line and a predetermined electrode ofthe light emitting element, and a switching transistor connected betweena signal line and a gate electrode of the drive transistor; a firstscanner for supplying a potential to the power source line; and a secondscanner for outputting a drive signal to the switching transistor; inwhich the power source line is wired so as to intersect perpendicularlythe signal line; any one of wirings intersecting perpendicularly oneanother is wired in a region that overlaps a light emitting region ofthe light emitting element in a lamination direction of layers, and theintersecting area is located outside of the light emitting region.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the wiringlayers, such as the signal lines, intersecting perpendicularly oneanother is formed so as not to overlap the light emitting element in thedirection of lamination of the layers of the light emitting region. As aresult, the stepped portion is relaxed.

Also, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the steppedportion can be relaxed, and thus the high-quality image can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a general organic ELdisplay device;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a structural example of a pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation showing deterioration with time ofcurrent-voltage (I-V) characteristics of an organic EL light emittingelement;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a pixel circuit in which p-channelTFTs of the pixel circuit shown in FIG. 2 are replaced with n-channelTFTs, respectively;

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation showing an operating point betweena TFT as a drive transistor, and an organic EL light emitting element inan initial state;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of an organic EL displaydevice adopting a pixel circuit according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a concrete structure of the pixelcircuit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are respectively timing charts explaining a basicoperation of the pixel circuit shown in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are respectively views explaining a structure in whichno signal line is wired in a light emitting region (opening area) of alight emitting element, and thus is wired in a non-light emitting region(nonopening area) of a light emitting element;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view explaining an example of a measure forimproving relaxation of a stepped portion, an image quality, and thelike;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a multilayer interconnectionstructure when an interlayer film is made of a photosensitive resin;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing a situation in which athickness of the interlayer film is reduced in a phase of etching of anupper layer wiring;

FIGS. 13A to 13J are respectively cross sectional views explaining amanufacturing method when an interlayer film is made of an oxide film;

FIGS. 14A to 14I are respectively cross sectional views explaining amanufacturing method when an interlayer film is made of a photosensitiveresin;

FIGS. 15A to 15E are respectively timing charts explaining a concreteoperation of the pixel circuit shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram explaining an operation of the pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing a state of an emission period oftime;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram explaining the operation of the pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing a state in which a voltage of apower drive line is set at a voltage Vss in a nonemission period oftime;

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram explaining the operation of the pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing a state in which an offset signalis inputted;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram explaining the operation of the pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing a state in which the voltage of thepower drive line is set at a power source voltage Vcc;

FIG. 20 is a graphical representation explaining the operation of thepixel circuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing transition of a sourcevoltage of a drive transistor when the voltage of the power drive lineis set at the power source voltage Vcc;

FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram explaining the operation of the pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing a state when a data signal Vsig iswritten;

FIG. 22 is a graphical representation explaining the operation of thepixel circuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing transition of the sourcevoltage of the drive transistor corresponding to a magnitude of amobility;

FIG. 23 is a circuit diagram explaining the operation of the pixelcircuit shown in FIG. 7, and showing a light emission state; and

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view explaining that even when a powersource line is not wired in the form of a multilayer interconnection, astepped portion of a light emitting region of a light emitting elementcan be relaxed, and an outside light reflected by a surface of a displayportion can be reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of an organic EL displaydevice adopting a pixel circuit according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a concrete structure of the pixelcircuit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A display device 100, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, includes a pixel arrayportion 102, a horizontal selector (HSEL) 103, a write scanner (WSCN)104 as a second scanner, a power drive scanner (PDSCN) 105 as a firstscanner, signal lines SGL101 to SGL10 n, scanning lines WSL101 to WSL10m, and power drive lines PSL101 to PSL10 m. Here, a plurality of pixelcircuits 101 are disposed in matrix of m×n in the pixel array portion102. The signal lines SGL101 to SGL10 n are successively selected by thehorizontal selector 103, and a data signal Vsig corresponding toluminance information, and an input signal SIN of an offset signal Vofsare successively supplied to the signal lines SGL101 to SGL10 n. Thescanning lines WSL101 to WSL10 m serve as drive wirings which areselectively driven by a gate pulse (scanning pulse) GP from the writescanner 104. Also, the power drive lines PSL101 to PSL10 m serve asdrive wirings which are driven by applying thereto a power signal PSG.Here, the power signal PSG is selectively set either at Vcc (forexample, a power source voltage) or at Vss (for example, a negative sidevoltage) by the power drive scanner 105.

It is noted that although the pixel circuits 101 are disposed in matrixof m×n in the pixel array portion 102, in FIG. 6, an example in whichthe pixel circuits 101 are disposed in matrix of 2(=m)×3(=n) is shownfor the sake of simplification of the drawing.

In addition, in FIG. 7 as well, the concrete structure of one pixelcircuit is shown for the sake of simplification of the drawing.

The pixel circuit 101 according to this embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 7, includes an n-channel TFT 111 as a drivetransistor, an n-channel TFT 112 as a switching transistor, a capacitorC111, an interpolation capacitor C112, a light emitting element 113constituted by an organic EL light emitting element (OLED: electro-opticelement), a first node ND111, and a second node ND112.

In the pixel circuit 101, the n-channel TFT 111 as the drive transistor,the first node ND111, and the organic EL light emitting element (OLED)113 are connected in series between the power drive line (power sourceline) PSL (101 to 10 m), and a predetermined reference potential Vcat(for example, the ground potential).

More specifically, a cathode of the organic EL light emitting element113 is connected to the reference potential Vcat, and an anode thereofis connected to the first node ND111. Also, a source (for example, asecond electrode) of the n-channel TFT 111 is connected to the firstnode ND111, and a drain (for example, a first electrode) thereof isconnected to the power drive line PSL.

Also, a gate of the n-channel TFT 111 is connected to the second nodeND112.

In addition, a first electrode of the capacitor C111 is connected to thefirst node ND111, and a second electrode thereof is connected to thesecond node ND112.

A source and a drain of the n-channel TFT 112 are connected to thesignal line SGL and the second node ND112, respectively. Also, a gate ofthe n-channel TFT 112 is connected to the scanning line WSL.

In such manner, in the pixel circuit 101 of this embodiment, thecapacitor C111 as the pixel capacity is connected between the gate andthe source of the n-channel TFT 111 as the drive transistor.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are respectively timing charts explaining a basicoperation of the pixel circuit shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8A shows a gate pulse (scanning pulse) SP which is applied to thescanning line WSL. FIG. 8B shows a power signal PSG which is applied tothe power drive line PSL. Also, FIG. 8C shows an input signal SIN whichis applied to the signal line SGL.

In order to cause the organic EL light emitting element 113 of the pixelcircuit 101 to emit a light, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, for an emissionperiod of time, the power signal Vss (for example, a negative voltage)is applied to the power drive line PSL. The offset signal Vofs ispropagated through the signal line SGL to be inputted to the second nodeND112 through the n-channel TFT 112. After that time, the power signalVcc (corresponding to the power source voltage) is applied to the powerdrive line PSL, thereby correcting a threshold of the n-channel TFT 111.

Thereafter, the data signal Vsig corresponding to luminance informationis applied to the signal line SGL, thereby writing a signal to thesecond node ND112 through the n-channel TFT 112. At this time, themobility is simultaneously and in parallel corrected because the signalis written to the second node ND112 through the n-channel TFT 112 whilea current is caused to flow through the n-channel TFT 111.

As a result, the n-channel TFT 112 is held in a nonconduction state, andthus the organic EL light emitting element 113 is caused to emit a lightin correspondence to the luminance information.

In this embodiment, the wiring layers, such as the signal lines SGL,intersecting perpendicularly one another are wired so as not to overlapthe organic EL light emitting element 113 in a direction of laminationof layers of the light emitting region. As a result, the stepped portionof the opening portion can be relaxed, and thus the outside lightreflected by the surface of the display portion can be reduced. Thisembodiment is constituted in such a manner.

That is to say, as shown in FIG. 9A, the power drive line PSL and thescanning line WSL are formed so as to intersect perpendicularly thesignal line SGL. In this embodiment, however, as shown in FIG. 9B, thesignal line SGL is not disposed in the light emitting region (openingarea) of the light emitting element 113, and thus is absent in thenon-light emitting region (nonopening area) 210.

A top emission system is given as a technique for forming a large lightemitting region.

This embodiment adopts this top emission system, and none of the wiringlayers intersecting perpendicularly one another is disposed in the lowerlayers each lying below the light emitting region, thereby relaxing thestepped portion.

Also, in the display device 100 of this embodiment, the followingmeasures are taken for the purpose of improving that the unevenness suchas the shading occurs along with the voltage drop or the like from thepower source line to the pixel circuit 101 so as to occur in the form ofthe nonuniformity or the visual surface roughness in the image, that is,improving the image quality or the like.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view explaining an example of a measure forrelaxing the stepped portion, and improving the image quality or thelike.

In this example of the measure, the power source line PSL as the linefor the power source to which the drain as the first electrode of then-channel TFT 111 as the drive transistor of each of the pixel circuit101 is connected is made of a low-resistance metal such as aluminum(Al), and is formed in the form of a multilayer interconnection.

In parallel thereto, the wiring layer to which the source as the secondelectrode of the n-channel TFT 111 is connected is also made of the samematerial as that of the power source line PSL at the same level as thatof the power source line PSL, and is formed in the form of a multilayerinterconnection. Also, the multilayered source electrode of then-channel TFT 111 is connected to the anode electrode of the organic ELlight emitting element 113.

It is noted that each of the n-channel TFTs 111 and 112 of each of thepixel circuits 101 of this embodiment is of a bottom gate type, and thegate electrode (control terminal) thereof is formed as a first wiringlayer on the lower layer side in the lamination direction of the layers.

In general, the gate electrode of the TFT is a high-resistance wiring,and is formed by depositing a metal such as molybdenum (Mo) or tantalum(Ta), or an alloy by utilizing a sputtering method or the like.

A concrete structure will now be described as follows.

For example, in the n-channel TFT 111 having the bottom gate structure,as shown in FIG. 10, a gate electrode 123, as a first wiring layer,covered with a gate insulating film 122 is formed on a transparentinsulating substrate (for example, a glass substrate) 121. Also, thegate electrode 123 is connected to the second node ND112.

As has been described above, the gate electrode is formed by depositinga metal such as molybdenum (Mo) or tantalum (Ta), or an alloy byutilizing the sputtering method or the like.

In the n-channel TFT 111, a semiconductor film (channel formationregion) 124, and a pair of n⁺-type diffusion layers 125 and 126 areformed on the gate insulating film 122. In this case, the pair ofn⁺-type diffusion layers 125 and 126 is formed so as to sandwich thesemiconductor film 124 between them.

Also, an insulating film 127 made of an oxide film or the like, forexample, formed from SiO₂ is formed on the transparent insulatingsubstrate 121 so as to cover the gate insulating film 122, the channelformation region 124, and the pair of n⁺-type diffusion layers 125 and126.

It is noted that while not illustrated, an n⁻-type diffusion layer (LDD)is formed between the channel formation region 124, and each of then⁺-type diffusion layers 125 and 126. The n⁺-type diffusion layer formsa drain diffusion layer (corresponding to the first electrode) of then-channel TFT 111, and the n⁺-type diffusion layer 126 paired therewithforms a source diffusion layer (corresponding to the second electrode)of the n-channel TFT 111.

A drain electrode 129 as a second wiring layer for the first electrodeis connected to one n⁺-type diffusion layer 125 through a contact hole128 a formed in the insulating film 127. Also, a source electrode 130 asthe second wiring layer for the second electrode is connected to theother n⁺-type diffusion layer 126 through a contact hole 128 b formed inthe insulating film 127.

Each of the drain electrode 129 and the source electrode 130, forexample, is formed by patterning an aluminum (Al) film having a lowresistance.

An interlayer film 131 is formed as a flattening film so as to cover thedrain electrode 129, the source electrode 130, and the insulating film127.

The interlayer film 131, for example, is made of an oxide film,polyimide, an acrylic system resin or a photosensitive resin.

A third wiring layer (or the second wiring layer) 133 as the powersource line PSL is connected to the drain electrode 129 through contacthole 132 a formed in the interlayer film 131. Also, a third wiring layer134 (or the second wiring layer) for the second electrode is connectedto the source electrode 130 through a contact hole 132 b formed in theinterlayer film 131.

Each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134, for example, can be formedby patterning an aluminum (Al) film, or can also be made of the samematerial as that of an anode electrode layer 137 formed thereabove, forexample, silver (Ag) or the like.

A flattening film 135 is formed so as to cover the third wiring layers133 and 134, and the interlayer film 131.

Also, the anode electrode layer 137 of the organic EL light emittingelement 113 is connected to the third wiring layer 134 for the secondelectrode through a contact hole 136 formed in the flattening film 135.

Moreover, an EL light emitting material layer 138 is formed on the anodeelectrode layer 137. An insulating film 139 is formed on both sides ofthe anode electrode layer 137 and the EL light emitting material layer138, and a cathode electrode layer 140 is formed over the insulatingfilm 139.

The wiring layers, such as the signal lines SGL, intersectingperpendicularly one another are wired so as not to overlap the organicEL light emitting element 113 in the direction of lamination of thelayers of the light emitting region. Also, the flattening film 135 isformed along with forming the layers in the form of the multilayerinterconnection, and the anode electrode layer 137, the light emittingelement material layer 138, and the cathode electrode layer 140 areformed in this order on the flattening film 135. As a result, a steppedportion 220 of the light emitting region 200 can be relaxed, and thusthe outside light reflected by the surface of the display portion can bereduced.

It is to be noted that when the flattening film is used as theinterlayer film 131 formed between the second wiring layers 129, 130 andthe third wiring layers 133, 134 in the above structure described above,there is feared the chamber contamination in a phase of the filmdeposition (sputtering) of the third wiring layers 133 and 134.

Then, an appropriation of the existing process becomes possible bymaking each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134 of the same materialas that of the anode electrode layer 137, for example, silver (Ag).

In addition, when the power source line PSL and the source electrode areformed in the form of the multilayer interconnection to reduce theresistance, the number of manufacturing processes may increase. However,in order to reduce the number of manufacturing processes, the multilayerinterconnection can also be realized by, for example, making theinterlayer film 131 of the photosensitive resin.

That is to say, when the multilayer interconnection is realized bymaking the interlayer film 131 of the photosensitive resin, the numberof processes can be reduced by making the interlayer film 131 formedbetween the second wiring layers 129, 130 and the third wiring layers133, 134 of the photosensitive resin. As a result, the multilayerinterconnection can be realized at a low takt and at a low cost. Whenthe interlayer film 131 is made of an oxide film, four processes of filmdeposition, photolithography, etching, and resist peeling are necessaryat the minimum. However, in the case of using the photosensitive resin,the interlayer film 131 can be formed only in the photolithographyprocess.

In addition, when the wirings in the pixel circuit are formed in theform of the multilayer interconnection, and the interlayer film 131 ismade of the photosensitive resin, the interlayer film is scraped in thephase of etching of the upper layer wiring, which may exert an influenceon a coating property of the flattening film 135.

Thus, in this embodiment, the scraping of the interlayer film 131 exertsno influence on the coating property of the flattening film 135 bysetting a thickness of each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134 asfollows.

More specifically, the thickness of each of the third wiring layers 133and 134 is set so as to fulfill the following relational expression (2):tl=tp/(1+A)  (2)where tp is a thickness of the flattening film, tl is the thickness ofthe third wiring layer, and A is a constant depending on the interlayerfilm material.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a multilayer interconnectionstructure when the interlayer film is made of a photosensitive resin.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing a situation in which thethickness of the interlayer film is reduced in the phase of etching ofthe upper layer wiring.

When the thickness of the interlayer film is reduced, a height of theactual stepped portion becomes equal to or larger than the wiringthickness during the coating of the flattening film 135, which resultsin the coating property of the flattening film 135 becoming worse. Or, amaterial for the flattening film 135 is used in large quantity, whichcauses a problem in terms of a cost.

All that is required is that an inequality expression of tp≧tl+tx (wheretp is the thickness of the flattening film, tl is the thickness of thewiring, and tx is an amount of film thickness reduced) is fulfilled inorder to normally coat the flattening film.

In addition, since the amount of film thickness reduced is proportionalto the wiring film thickness, a relational expression of tx=A×tl (whereA is a constant and depends on the interlayer film material) isestablished. Therefore, even when the setting of tl=tp(1+A) results inthat the thickness of the film is reduced, no influence is exerted onthe coating property of the flattening film 131.

Next, a description will now be given with respect to a method ofmanufacturing the pixel circuit portion having such a structure.

In this case, the description will now be given with respect to twomanufacturing method in the case where the interlayer film 131 is madeof an oxide film and in the case where the interlayer film 131 is madeof a photosensitive resin.

Firstly, the description will now be given with respect to the method ofmanufacturing the pixel circuit portion in the case where the interlayerfilm 131 is made of an oxide film with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13J.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the gate electrode 123 as the first wiring layeris formed on the transparent insulating substrate (for example, theglass substrate) 121.

As described above, the gate electrode 123 is formed by depositing ametal such as molybdenum (Mo) or tantalum (Ta), or an alloy by utilizingthe sputtering method or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, after the gate insulating film 122 is madeof SiO₂, an amorphous silicon film is deposited and polycrystallized,thereby forming the channel formation region 124, and the n⁺-typediffusion layers 125 and 126 (the drain diffusion layer and the sourcediffusion layer).

Next, as shown in FIG. 13C, the insulating film 127 is made of SiO₂.

As shown in FIG. 13D, the contact holes 128 a and 128 b are formed inthe insulating film 127 so as to extend to the drain diffusion layer 125and the source diffusion layer 126, respectively.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13E, the drain electrode 129 as the second wiringlayer for the first electrode is formed so as to be connected to thedrain diffusion layer 125 through the contact hole 128 a formed in theinsulating film 127. Also, the source electrode 130 as the second wiringlayer for the second electrode is formed so as to be connected to thesource diffusion layer 126 through the contact hole 128 b formed in theinsulating film 127.

Each of the drain electrode 129 and the source electrode 130, forexample, is formed by patterning an aluminum (Al) film having a lowresistance.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13F, the interlayer film 131 is made of SiO₂.

As shown in FIG. 13G, the contact holes 132 a and 132 b are formed inthe interlayer film 131 so as to extend to the drain electrode 129 andthe source electrode 130, respectively.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13H, the third wiring layer 133 as the powersource line PSL is formed so as to be connected to the drain electrode129 through the contact hole 132 a formed in the interlayer film 131.Also, the third wiring layer 134 for the second electrode is formed soas to be connected to the source electrode 130 through the contact hole132 b formed in the interlayer film 131.

Each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134, for example, can be formedby patterning an aluminum (Al) film, or can also be made of the samematerial as that of the anode electrode layer 137 formed thereabove, forexample, silver (Ag) or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13I, the flattening film 135 is formed so as tocover each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134, and the interlayerfilm 131. Subsequently, the contact hole 136 is formed in the flatteningfilm 135 so as to extend to the third wiring layer 134.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13J, the anode electrode layer 137 of the organicEL light emitting element 113 is formed so as to be connected to thethird wiring layer 134 through the contact hole 136 formed in theflattening film 135.

Moreover, the organic EL light emitting element material layer 138 isformed on the anode electrode layer 137. Also, the insulating film 139is formed on the both sides of the anode electrode layer 137 and theorganic EL light emitting element material layer 138, and the cathodeelectrode layer 140 is formed on the insulating film 139.

Next, the description will now be given with respect to the method ofmanufacturing the pixel circuit portion in the case where the interlayerfilm 131 is made of the photosensitive resin with reference to FIGS. 14Ato 14I.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the gate electrode 123 as the first wiring layeris formed on the transparent insulating substrate (for example, theglass substrate) 121.

As described above, the gate electrode 123 is formed by depositing ametal such as molybdenum (Mo) or tantalum (Ta), or an alloy by utilizingthe sputtering method or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, after the gate insulating film 122 is madeof SiO₂, an amorphous silicon film is deposited and polycrystallized,thereby forming the channel formation region 124, and the n⁺-typediffusion layers 125 and 126 (the drain diffusion layer and the sourcediffusion layer).

Next, as shown in FIG. 14C, the insulating film 127 is made of SiO₂.

As shown in FIG. 14D, the contact holes 128 a and 128 b are formed inthe insulating film 127 so as to extend to the drain diffusion layer 125and the source diffusion layer 126, respectively.

Also, as shown in FIG. 14E, the drain electrode 129 as the second wiringlayer for the first electrode is formed so as to be connected to thedrain diffusion layer 125 through the contact hole 128 a formed in theinsulating film 127. Also, the source electrode 130 as the second wiringlayer for the second electrode is formed so as to be connected to thesource diffusion layer 126 through the contact hole 128 b formed in theinsulating film 127.

Each of the drain electrode 129 and the source electrode 130, forexample, is formed by patterning an aluminum (Al) film having a lowresistance.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14F, the interlayer film 131 is made of thephotosensitive resin. Also, the contact holes 132 a and 132 b are formedin the interlayer film 131 so as to extend to the drain electrode 129,and the source electrode 130, respectively.

When the interlayer film 131 is made of the photosensitive resin in sucha manner, this process can be carried out simultaneously and in parallelto the process for forming the contact holes. As a result, the number ofprocesses can be reduced as compared with the above case where theinterlayer film 131 is made of the oxide film. That is to say, the twoprocesses shown in FIGS. 13F and 13G, respectively, can be carried outin one process.

Also, as shown in FIG. 14G, the third wiring layer 133 (or the secondwiring layer) as the power source line PSL is formed so as to beconnected to the drain electrode 129 through the contact hole 132 aformed in the interlayer film 131. Also, the third wiring layer 134 (orthe second wiring layer) for the second electrode is formed so as to beconnected to the source electrode 130 through the contact hole 132 bformed in the interlayer film 131.

Each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134, for example, can be formedby patterning the aluminum (Al) film, or can also be made of the samematerial as that of an anode electrode layer 137 formed thereabove, forexample, silver (Ag) or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14H, the flattening film 135 is formed so as tocover each of the third wiring layers 133 and 134, and the interlayerfilm 131. Subsequently, the contact hole 136 is formed in the flatteningfilm 135 so as to extend to the third wiring layer 134.

Also, as shown in FIG. 14I, the anode electrode layer 137 of the organicEL light emitting element 113 is formed so as to be connected to thethird wiring layer 134 through the contact hole 136 formed in theflattening film 135.

Moreover, the EL light emitting element material layer 138 is formed onthe anode electrode layer 137. Also, the insulating film 139 is formedon the both sides of the anode electrode layer 137 and the EL lightemitting element material layer 138, and the cathode electrode layer 140is formed on the insulating film 139.

Next, an operation of the pixel circuit 101 having the above structurewill now be mainly described as a more concrete operation thereof withreference to FIGS. 15A to 15E, and FIGS. 16 to 23.

Note that, FIG. 15A shows the gate pulse (scanning pulse) GP which isapplied to the scanning line WSL. FIG. 15B shows the power signal PSGwhich is applied to the power drive line PSL. FIG. 15C shows the inputsignal SIN which is applied to the signal line SGL. FIG. 15D shows apotential VND112 at the second node ND112. Also, FIG. 15E shows apotential VND111 at the first node ND111.

Firstly, while the organic EL light emitting element 113 emits thelight, as shown in FIG. 15B and FIG. 16, the power drive line PSL is atthe power source voltage Vcc, and the n-channel TFT 112 is held in anOFF state.

At this time, the n-channel TFT 111 as the drive transistor is set so asto operate in the saturation region. Thus, the current Ids caused toflow through the organic EL light emitting element 113 gets the valueexpressed by the expression (1) in correspondence to the gate to sourcevoltage Vgs of the n-channel TFT 111.

Next, for the nonemission period of time, as shown in FIG. 15B and FIG.17, the power drive line PSL as the power source line is at the voltageVss. At this time, when the voltage Vss is smaller than a sum of athreshold Vthel and a cathode voltage Vcat of the organic EL lightemitting element 113, that is, a relational expression of(Vss<Vthel+Vcat) is established, the organic EL light emitting element113 is turned OFF, so that the power drive line PSL as the power sourceline becomes the source of the n-channel TFT 111 as the drivetransistor. At this time, the anode (the first node ND111) of theorganic EL light emitting element 113, as shown in FIG. 15E, is chargedat the voltage Vss.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 15A, and 15C to 15E, and FIG. 18, in a statein which the potential of the signal line SGL is held at an offsetvoltage Vofs, the gate pulse GP is set at a high level to turn ON then-channel TFT 112, thereby setting the gate potential of the n-channelTFT 111 at the offset voltage Vofs.

At this time, the gate to source voltage of the n-channel TFT 111 gets avalue of (Vofs−Vss). When the gate to source voltage of the n-channelTFT 111 is not larger (lower) than the threshold Vth of the n-channelTFT 111, a threshold correcting operation cannot be carried out. Fromthis reason, the gate to source voltage (Vofs−Vss) of the n-channel TFT111 needs to be made larger than the threshold voltage Vth of then-channel TFT 111, that is, the relational expression of (Vofs−Vss>Vth)needs to be established.

Also, in the threshold correcting operation, the power signal PSG whichis applied to the power drive line PSL is set at the power sourcevoltage Vcc again.

Setting the power drive line PSL at the power source voltage Vcc resultsin that the anode (the first node ND111) of the organic EL lightemitting element 113 functions as the source of the n-channel TFT 111,so that the current I_(ds) is caused to flow as shown in FIG. 19.

As shown in FIG. 19, an equivalent circuit of the organic EL lightemitting element 113 is expressed by a diode and a capacitor Cel.Therefore, the current caused to flow through the n-channel TFT 111 isused to charge both the capacitors C111 and Cel with electricity as longas a relational expression of Vel≦Vcat+Vthel (a leakage current of theorganic EL light emitting element 113 is considerably smaller than thecurrent caused to flow through the n-channel TFT 111 is fulfilled.

At this time, a voltage Vel developed across opposite terminals of thecapacitor Cel rises with time as shown in FIG. 20. After a lapse of apredetermined time, the gate to source voltage of the n-channel TFT 111gets a value of the threshold Vth. At this time, a relational expressionof Vel=Vofs−Vth≦Vcat+Vthel is established.

After completion of the threshold canceling operation, as shown in FIGS.15A and 15C, and FIG. 21, the potential of the signal line SGL is set atVsig while the n-channel TFT 112 is held in an ON state. The data signalVsig becomes the voltage corresponding to the gradation. At this time,the gate potential of the n-channel TFT 111 is set at Vsig as shown inFIG. 15D because the n-channel TFT 112 is held in an ON state. However,the source potential of the n-channel TFT 111 rises with time becausethe current Ids is caused to flow from the power drive line PSL as thepower source line into the n-channel TFT 111.

At this time, when the source potential of the n-channel TFT 111 doesnot exceed a sum of the threshold voltage Vthel and the cathode voltageVcat of the organic EL light emitting element 113 (the leakage currentcaused to flow through the organic EL light emitting element 113 isconsiderably smaller than the current caused to flow through then-channel TFT 111), the current caused to flow through the n-channel TFT111 is used to charge both the capacitors C111 and Cel with electricity.

At this time, since the threshold correcting operation for the n-channelTFT 111 is completed, the current caused to flow through the n-channelTFT 111 reflects the mobility μ.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, an amount of current is largeand the source voltage speedily rises as the mobility μ is larger.Conversely, an amount of current is small and the source voltage slowlyrises as the mobility μ is smaller. As a result, the gate to sourcevoltage of the n-channel TFT 111 becomes small in a reflection of themobility μ, and becomes Vgs at which the mobility μ is perfectlycorrected after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Finally, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, and FIG. 23, the gate pulse GP isswitched from the high level to the low level to turn OFF the n-channelTFT 112, thereby completing the write operation. Thus, the organic ELlight emitting element 113 is caused to emit the light.

The gate to source voltage of the n-channel TFT 111 is constant. As aresult, the n-channel TFT 111 causes a constant current Ids′ to flowthrough the organic EL light emitting element 113. Also, the voltage Veldeveloped across the opposite terminals of the capacitor Cel rises to avoltage Vx at which the constant current Ids′ is caused to flow throughthe organic EL light emitting element 113, so that the organic EL lightemitting element 113 emits the light.

In this pixel circuit 101 as well, when the emission period of timebecomes long, the I-V characteristics of the organic EL light emittingelement 113 change. For this reason, the potential at a point B (at thefirst node ND111) in FIG. 23 changes accordingly. However, since thegate to source voltage of the n-channel TFT 111 is held at a constantvalue, no current caused to flow through the organic EL light emittingelement 113 changes. As a result, even when the I-V characteristics ofthe organic EL light emitting element 113 deteriorate, no luminance ofthe organic EL light emitting element 113 changes because the constantcurrent Ids continues to be usually caused to flow.

In the pixel circuit which is driven in such a manner, the power sourceline is formed in the form of the two level wiring structure to realizethe low resistance. As a result, it is possible to improve that theunevenness such as the shading occurs along with the voltage drop tooccur in the form of the nonuniformity or the visual surface roughnessin the image.

Also, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the displaydevice including the organic electro luminescence (EL) elements isprovided with the threshold change correcting function and the mobilitychange correcting function for the transistor, and the temporal changecorrecting function for the organic EL light emitting element.Therefore, the high-definition image quality can be obtained. Also, theless number of elements makes it possible to realize the highdefinition. In addition thereto, the power source line is formed in theform of the multilayer interconnection by using the existing process,which results in that the low resistance wiring can be realized and theexcellent image-quality display device can be obtained.

In addition to that the less number of elements makes it possible torealize the high definition, the stepped portion of the opening portionis relaxed by using the less number of wirings, thereby making itpossible to reduce the outside light reflected by the surface of thedisplay portion.

Also, in addition to that the less number of elements makes it possibleto realize the high definition, the power source line is formed in theform of the multilayer interconnection by making the interlayer film ofthe photosensitive resin to realize the low-resistance wiring, therebymaking it possible to obtain the excellent image-quality display device.

In addition, when the interlayer film is made of the photosensitiveresin, the pixel circuit is structured so as to fulfill the relationshipof tl=tp/(1+A) (where tp is the thickness of the flattening film, tl isthe thickness of the third wiring layer, and A is the constant dependingon the interlayer film material). As a result, even when the thicknessof the interlayer film is reduced, the multilayer interconnectionpromotion can be realized without exerting an influence on the coatingproperty of the flattening film.

In this embodiment, the description has been given so far with respectto the case where when the power source line is formed in the form ofthe multilayer interconnection, the outside light reflected by thesurface of the display portion can be reduced by relaxing the steppedportion of the opening portion. In this case, however, as shown in FIG.24, even when no power source line is formed in the form of themultilayer interconnection, the wiring layers, such as the signal linesSGL, intersecting perpendicularly one another are wired so as not tooverlap in the direction of lamination of the layers of the lightemitting region. As a result, the stepped portion of the opening portioncan be relaxed, and thus the outside light reflected by the surface ofthe display portion can be reduced.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An organic electroluminescent display devicecomprising a display panel including: a semiconductor layer made of asemiconductor material, the semiconductor layer comprising a channelportion, a first terminal portion, and a second terminal portion of atransistor; a first conductive layer made of a first material, the firstconductive layer comprising a control terminal portion of thetransistor; a second conductive layer made of a second material, thesecond conductive layer comprising a data signal wiring and a lowerconductive portion, the data signal wiring and the lower conductiveportion being arranged independently from each other in the secondconductive layer; and a third conductive layer made of a third material,the third conductive layer comprising an upper conductive portion,wherein, a first contact region connects the first terminal portion andthe lower conductive portion, a second contact region connects the lowerconductive portion and the upper conductive portion, the second contactregion overlaps with the first contact region, the data signal wiringextends along a first direction, the upper conductive portion extentsalong a second direction different from the first direction, the datasignal wiring overlaps with a light emission region of an organicelectroluminescent element, and the data signal wiring crosses the upperconductive portion outside of the light emission region of the organicelectroluminescent element.
 2. The organic electroluminescent displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the upper conductive portion doesnot overlap with the light emission region of the organic EL element. 3.The organic electroluminescent display device according to claim 1,wherein the first material includes molybdenum, the second materialincludes aluminum, and the third material includes silver.
 4. Theorganic electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, whereinthe transistor is configured to control a current supply.
 5. The organicelectroluminescent display device according to claim 1, wherein theupper conductive portion is configured to supply a voltage for anon-emission period of the organic electroluminescent element.
 6. Theorganic electroluminescent display device according to claim 1, whereinthe second conductive layer is disposed above the first conductivelayer, and the third conductive layer is disposed above the secondconductive layer.
 7. The organic electroluminescent display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is disposed abovethe first conductive layer.
 8. The organic electroluminescent displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein a first terminal of a capacitor isconfigured to receive a first voltage from the upper conductive portionvia the transistor, and a second terminal of the capacitor is configuredto receive a second voltage from the data signal wiring via anothertransistor.
 9. The organic EL display device according to claim 1,wherein, the upper conductive portion does not overlap with the lightemission region of the organic electroluminescent element, the secondconductive layer is disposed above the first conductive layer, the thirdconductive layer is disposed above the second conductive layer, thefirst material includes molybdenum, the second material includesaluminum, and the third material includes silver.